Interested in attending RFSA Conference 2018 but missed the opportunity to be a Sponsored Delegate? Why not attend for one day, one session or one evening? You can still enjoy the session you want to see without interrupting your work or study schedule.

Registered Members are welcome to attend for one or both days of the conference.

As the first half of 2018 draws to a close I can reflect on what has been a busy six months for the Association. Whilst there has been good news such as the successful culmination of the Protect the Protectors campaign there was also the devastation caused by the fires in late March at Tathra.

Following an active campaign by the RFSA, a new law requiring drivers to slow down to 40 kilometres an hour when passing an emergency vehicle was announced at the beginning of April. The law applies to emergency vehicles stopped with red and blue lights flashing. I wish to congratulate all Members for their invaluable support as there were many who worked passionately for this result. In particular I would like to send special thanks to Division 5 Secretary Vic Walker who initiated the campaign and remained determined to follow it to conclusion despite a myriad of hurdles along the way.

We received unprecedented cooperation from the Police Association and active support of NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM and the Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM. I acknowledge the part played by the Labor Opposition Government who sought our cooperation and introduced private members bills. Finally, our most powerful advocate was the Police and Emergency Services Minister, the Hon. Troy Grant MP who shares the Association’s joy at the result.

The RFSA’s long standing support and sponsorship of the NSW RFS Region North Exercise continued with another very successful event in March that I was able to attend with Directors David Stimson and Scott Campbell of whom the latter also performed the duty of an event judge.

Following the announcement of the Keelty Commission of Inquiry after the fires in Tathra, the Association sought active participation from Members in presenting an informed and accurate presentation of the current state of the NSW RFS. The Keelty Inquiry is the result of calls to look into the systems of fire services response of both Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and the NSW RFS. Director Brian McDonough is heading up the RFSA submission and I thank the hundreds of volunteers who have responded individually, through their Brigades or through their RFSA Branches and Divisions.

I had the opportunity to visit Tathra for an information night involving representation from every Brigade, staff from the Far South Coast Fire Control Centre and NSW RFS Headquarters personnel. Also in attendance was local RFSA Bega Valley Branch Chair and Senior Deputy Captain of Tathra Brigade Jason Lewington, RFSA Division 6 Chair and Tathra Brigade Deputy Captain Lance Hartley and Chair of the NSW RFS Young Members Group and Jellat Brigade Deputy Captain Nathan Barnden. The RFSA played a role in setting up this meeting and I had the opportunity to address the group and acknowledge the great work done by all responders in what where extremely difficult conditions.

In May Directors Scott Campbell, David Stimson and myself attended the National Memorial Service for fire and emergency services personnel in Canberra. I was honored to lead the wreath laying ceremony in my role as Chair of the Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA) on behalf of all the bodies representing emergency workers. This was a very moving ceremony and the catalyst for a landmark agreement between CAVFA and the National State Emergency Service Volunteers Association (NSESVA) with both associations signing a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a united voice in discussion and negotiation on matters of mutual interest.

Finally I would like to acknowledge the resignation of RFSA CEO Bernard Cox. Bernard has been a long-serving employee and his contribution to the Association is greatly valued and appreciated. Our collaboration in working together to achieve outcomes for our Members is reflected in the achievements of the Association. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Following an active campaign by the RFSA, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon.Troy Grant MP and the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, the Hon. Melinda Pavey MP announced new laws requiring drivers to slow down to 40 kilometres when an emergency vehicle is stopped and has its red or blue lights flashing on all roads.

RFSA President, Ken Middleton said, “I want to thank both the Ministers and the NSW Government for listening to, and now addressing, the concerns of the RFSA and our members right across the state.

“The RFSA has been actively liaising with the government for this measure not only on behalf of our own members but also to protect all emergency services workers who risk their lives to protect others.

“All emergency services face enough risks every day and shouldn’t have to worry about being hit by a car because of a speeding or distracted driver, which is why we called for these laws – and now the government has acted.

“In February, we saw a terrible accident in Leumeah, which left two police officers severely injured, and that is the exact type of tragedy that we are trying to prevent.

“Every day, emergency workers across the state face huge risks working along the roadside, and my biggest fear has been that it’s only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.

“It’s a vital measure that helps make our roads safer and I’m extremely grateful that the Ministers have listened to concerns right across the state.”

The new legislation that will commence a twelve month trial from 1 September 2018, following a comprehensive public education campaign, brings the rules in New South Wales in line with similar initiatives in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

If you are not happy with your health insurance premium increase, it’s not too late to switch.

Through your RFSA Member Advantage benefits program, you have access to HCF’s exclusive Corporate Product range. Offering exclusive discounts* through the Corporate Health Insurance suite, HCF also announced a record low average premium rate increase (3.39%), the lowest of the big four funds.

On 19 May Dunmore Rural Fire Brigade, in the Shellharbour District, celebrated its 60th anniversary with a dinner attended by members both past and present.

Whilst the exact date of formation is unknown due to lack of documentation, it is generally agreed that it came into formation 60 years ago as the Village of Shellharbour brigade and was positioned just north of the current Dunmore brigade station.

In the early days membership consisted of only six fire fighters with the brigade shed moving multiple times throughout its history, first to Dunmore with one truck housed in a very small shed and later, to the opposite side of Shellharbour road and into a new one bay station.

In the early 1980’s borrowed funds and donations from the local community helped members add an additional bay, toilet and meeting room onto the original station. Today, Dunmore Brigade has over thirty members and houses a Cat 1 Tanker, Cat 7 Tanker and PC. The current station is due for renewal and may in fact move once again due to the relocation of the Princes Highway.

Over the years, much of the membership has consisted of families including husbands and wives, parents and children and brothers and sisters. Dunmore Rural Fire Brigade has honoured three life members Tony Hardy, Ian Cox and Noel Sheehan (deceased).

A strong community presence has seen the brigade participate in and support many community events including local field days, Shellharbour Sunshine Festival, market days, village Christmas parties, street parades, Australia Day Awards, local shows, Relay For Life and village Santa runs to name but a few.

More recently, Dunmore Brigade has actively supported and assisted the Illawarra Community Safety Brigade, a brigade consisting of non-operational fire fighters who promote community engagement programs.

Dunmore Rural Fire Brigade has fought plenty of fires over the past 60 years however one particular fire has become somewhat of a legend amongst members. Recounted by former Group Captain Tony Hardy, it’s an incident at the old night soil and effluent disposal depot.

“One day the old tarring shed that was used for re-tarring of the night soil pans caught fire and Dunmore, along with a number of other brigades were called for assistance.

“Due to the nature of the fire with burning tar, a lot of water was required and, as there were no dams in the vicinity and the water pressure was very low, the only option was to use the loaded effluent tankers to help extinguish the fire. A bit smelly but it worked!” laughed Tony.

The RFSA has been proud to support Dunmore brigade with success in the NSW RFSA Grant Scheme and with sponsorship for the 60th anniversary celebration.

With over 74,000 volunteers who are members of more than 2000 Rural Fire Brigades, it’s no wonder the NSW RFS/RFSA Consultative Committees are of vital importance to ensure issues that affect volunteers are communicated and addressed.

There are four NSW RFS/RFSA Consultative Committees that serve as a formal mechanism for volunteers and the Service to consult on matters of mutual interest.

The committees are Infrastructure Services, Membership Services, Operations and Community Engagement.

The membership of each consultative committee consists of a NSW RFS Executive Director (Chair), an RFSA Director (Deputy Chair) and eight RFSA representatives comprising two from each NSW RFS Region (North/South/East/West).

Representatives sit for a two year term and attend three meetings per year.

The first meetings of 2018 were held at Rosehill, Sydney in March. This was also the first meeting for many of the new committee members as they start their term.

The committees will next meet in June 2018. The Business Paper Register is updated at the conclusion of each meeting and is available to view on the RFSA website.

In late May more than 450 rural fire fighters attended the Australian Community Engagement and Fire Awareness Conference in Coffs Harbour.

The conference provided opportunity to share knowledge, experience and best practice in engaging with people about fire awareness with the overall aim of making our communities a safer place to live in.

Attendees had a wide variety of educational and inspirational sessions to choose from with topics covering engagement strategies for farming communities, Indigenous populations and schools. Other sessions focused on disaster response and public safety communication.

The RFSA was proud to be a major sponsor of the conference and both the NSW RFSA Shop and Member Services were in attendance for the duration of the three day event.

Whilst meetings are a necessary, albeit sometimes dry affair, that was certainly not the case at the RFSA Hastings Branch Annual General Meeting held in February.

In an innovative approach to encourage more attendance and engagement, Hasting Branch Chair Steve Taylor chose a new and unexpected venue that provided a safe and relaxed atmosphere similar to enjoying a night out with family and friends.

Steve and Branch Secretary, Grayam Page approached the owners of the Moorebeer Brewing Company in Port Macquarie who were delighted to provide their premises on an evening when they are normally closed, for the Branch to not only hold their AGM, but then enjoy a social evening with food and sampling of the Breweries unique products.

Steve and Grayam’s philosophy to encourage greater participation was simple, and injected some fun into the evening.

“Everyone likes winning something so we decided to have door prizes which were linked to the numbered event ticket sent to all those attending; the combination added value to the event, some members printed their ticket and presented at the door; whilst others flashed the ticket on their smartphones, the reality was the members owned this event and they knew it,” said Steve.

Division 3 Chair Glenn Wall commended the Branch for their initiative and resourcefulness in encouraging greater member participation and applauded their efforts in thinking outside the box.

In concluding his address to Members, Glenn commented, “The efforts of the Hastings Branch, particularly Steve and Grayam have been extraordinary and extremely noteworthy.

“They have articulated exactly how the RFSA operates, the remarkable initiatives the organisation has to offer members and NSW RFS Brigades, whilst supporting the economic development of their local community by holding their AGM in a venue that supports the RFSA Branch.”

At the meetings conclusion Branch executive members happily observed attendees, new and existing, still engaged in conversation with each other more than an hour after it had finished.

“Networking is the most powerful tool in the shed and given that in the past we have struggled to attract greater participation, the night was a tremendous success with some members travelling considerable distances such as from Hollisdale, Comboyne, Rollands Plains and Pappinbarra,” said Steve.

Branch Secretary Grayam Page added, “We had fifty-five members in attendance and it was so pleasing to see that many fire fighters, not in yellow, engaging in so much conversation.

“Sixty-five ticket requests were sent out with fifty-five members in attendance representing sixteen brigades, that’s unprecedented.

“Fire fighting is a dangerous and expensive business and juggling family and work commitments so we can participate in protecting our community comes at a cost.

“Steve and I believe in the RFSA policy of giving back to the members in as many ways as possible, providing an AGM at this remarkable business is one way we can achieve that at the local level.”

Grayam concurred stating, “The meeting was informative, the networking provided members with an opportunity to further know their fellow fire fighters and have a far greater insight into the operations and initiatives the RFSA has to offer.”